Trail conditions
Banff National Park
Important information
Be extra cautious when engaging in any activities to avoid injury and/or getting lost to help minimize the demands placed on emergency response, search and rescue teams, and on the health care system.
CAUTION! Avalanche danger
You are responsible for your own safety. Check the Avalanche Bulletin for the latest conditions.
Redearth Creek
Public safety is of the utmost importance to Parks Canada. While previously classified as Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) Class 1, significant avalanche events across the Redearth Creek in recent years have resulted in a reclassification of the trail to ATES Class 2. As a result of this reclassification, Parks Canada has suspended track setting of the Redearth Creek.
Parks Canada policy states that track setting for cross-country ski trails in the Mountain Parks may only be undertaken on trails that are not exposed to any avalanche terrain or have an Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) rating of Class 1. While grooming of the trail has been suspended as a result of this change in classification, it does not close the trail, nor restrict access to the Shadow Lake Lodge.
Those choosing to travel through the area are encouraged to be their own safety monitor. Learn more about mountain safety in Banff National Park.
Vehicle parking is limited to designated areas only. Roadside parking is prohibited. Signage and monitoring will be used throughout the park to inform the public of parking restrictions and encourage compliance.
Dogs are not allowed on some of the groomed ski trails. Refer to the information below for restrictions. Keep dogs on leash and under physical control at all times.
Wildlife and you
Although bears are denning during the winter, they can awaken at any time for short periods. Cougars, wolves and other wildlife remain active throughout the year. Travel in groups, make noise, carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Closures and restrictions
For a complete list of ongoing closures and restrictions, please visit our Important Bulletins page.
For more information, please contact us:
Banff: 403-762-1550
Lake Louise: 403-522-3833
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Have you been hiking in the last few days? Share a few pictures with us as well as your impressions. This will help us keep this report accurate for other hikers.
Banff Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
Recent tracksetting: Mar 15 - Spray River West Trail; Mar 14 - Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails, Cascade Valley Trail, (Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Upper Bankhead), (Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Cascade River bridge), (Cascade River bridge to Stoney Creek); Feb 7 - Goat Creek, Spray River East.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Easy |
Spray River Winter: West Trail | Good. | 15-03-2025: Double trackset classic and skate; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River Winter: East Trail | Ungroomed. | 21-03-2025: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails | Fair. | 14-03-2025: Double trackset classic and skate; No dogs allowed; Thin snow cover; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Ungroomed. | 21-03-2025: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Healy Creek Winter Trail | Ungroomed. | 21-03-2025: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Upper Bankhead | Good. | 14-03-2025: Double trackset classic and skate; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Cascade River bridge | Good. | 14-03-2025: Double trackset classic and skate; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Cascade River bridge to Stoney Creek | Good. | 14-03-2025: Single trackset classic and skate; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
 Moderate |
Goat Creek Winter Trail | Snow covered. | 15-03-2025: Fresh snow covering track set; No dogs allowed; Skier tracked; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Brewster Creek Winter Trail | Ungroomed. | 21-03-2025: Insufficient snow for tracksetting for cross-country skiing; | Trail details |
Banff Area Winter Walking Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Fenland Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Marsh Winter Loop | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray Winter Connector | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; No dogs allowed; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Stewart Canyon Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnston Canyon Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 23-03-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Mountain Summit Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; Slushy sections ; Freeze / thaw cycle; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 23-03-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sundance Canyon Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 23-03-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Banff Area Snowshoeing Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Drive - Winter | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Compact snow; Thin snow cover; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnson Lake Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Compact snow; Thin snow cover; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Compact snow; Thin snow cover; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Stoney Winter Loop | Snow covered. | 23-03-2025: Compact snow; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Westside Winter Trail | Snow covered. | 23-03-2025: Compact snow; Thin snow cover; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Ink Pots Winter Trail | Snow covered. | 23-03-2025: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; | Trail details |
Banff Area Fat Biking Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Multi-use Winter Trails | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Studded tires recommended; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River East Winter Trail | Ungroomed. | 23-03-2025: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; No dogs allowed; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Biking including pedal-assist e-bikes is allowed; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Banff Avenue Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Biking including pedal-assist e-bikes is allowed; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Bench Winter Loop | Partially Closed | 23-03-2025: Biking including pedal-assist e-bikes is allowed; Check the important bulletins for more information; Respect all posted notices and signs; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Minnewanka Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
Bow Valley Parkway Cross-Country Ski Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #1 - Castle Junction to Castle Lookout trailhead | Variable winter conditions. | 08-03-2025: Dogs on leash permitted; Thin snow cover; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #2 | Variable winter conditions. | 08-03-2025: Dogs on leash permitted; Thin snow cover; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #3 | Variable winter conditions. | 08-03-2025: Dogs on leash permitted; Thin snow cover; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Protection Mountain Campground to Castle Mountain Lookout | Variable winter conditions. | 17-03-2025: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Baker Creek to Protection Mountain Campground | Variable winter conditions. | 17-03-2025: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking Trails
Winter conditions. Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond the marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume that you are in avalanche country - your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment. For more information on winter travel and how to stay safe in the mountains, visit Parks Canada - Mountain Safety - Winter Activities. Trail closures, fire smoke and machinery expected in the upper Lake Louise region from November 15, 2024 to March 31st, 2025 due to fire guard operations. Visit parks.canada.ca/Banff-bulletins for more information.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 24-02-2025: Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fairview Lookout Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 24-02-2025: Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; Snow covered; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Louise Creek Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 24-02-2025: Slippery sections; Dogs on leash permitted; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; | Trail details |
 Difficult |
Taylor Lake Trail | Snow covered. | 23-02-2025: Dogs on leash permitted; Avalanche danger beyond reaching the lake; Deadfall on trail; Unmaintained trail; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Laggan's Loop | See comment section | 22-12-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
Trail closures, fire smoke and machinery expected in the upper Lake Louise region from November 15, 2024 to March 31st, 2025 due to fire guard operations. Visit parks.canada.ca/Banff-bulletins for more information. *Regular tracksetting ends for the season on March 27th* Recent tracksetting: Mar 23 - Moraine Lake road; Upper Tramline; Lower Tramline. Mar 22 - Pipestone; Hector; Drummond; Merlin; Bow River Loop; Campground Loop; Townsite. Mar 9 - Lake Louise surface; Lake Louise shoreline (groomed only). Mar 7 - Fairview.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Moraine Lake Road | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Avalanche risk: Beyond the viewpoint the trail crosses large avalanche paths.; When trailhead parking is full, access Moraine Lake Road via Upper Tramline trail and park at Lake Louise parking lot or Great Divide parking lot; No parking on roadways, or highways; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; Double trackset classic and skate; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Fairview Loop | Variable winter conditions. | 16-03-2025: Tracksetting has ended for the season; No dogs allowed; Skier tracked; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lower Tramline | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Begin the Lower Tramline from the Bow River parking lot on Sentinel Road (near The Station Restaurant). You can use the old or the new route. CAUTION! - The new route between the Lower Tramline and the Bow River bridge on Lake Louise Drive is not track set, is steep, narrow and has sharp turns.; No dogs allowed; Old route: Single trackset classic; no dogs allowed;; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Tramline | Variable winter conditions. | 23-03-2025: Single trackset classic; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lake Louise Loop | Poor. | 14-03-2025: Lake Louise Loop is made up of two separately maintained trails: Lake Louise shoreline and Lake Surface ; Lake surface not recommended; Lake Louise shoreline - poor; Dogs on leash permitted; Tracksetting has ended for the season; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Upper Telemark | See comment section | 14-11-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Great Divide Trail | See comment section | 14-11-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Peyto Trail | See comment section | 14-11-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lower Telemark | See comment section | 14-11-2024: Trail closed (from November 15th to March 31st) due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Campground Loop | Variable winter conditions. | 22-03-2025: Double trackset classic and skate; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Bow River Loop | Variable winter conditions. | 22-03-2025: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Townsite | Variable winter conditions. | 22-03-2025: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set not on tracks; Access across CP railway tracks only via Lake Louise Drive sidewalk underpass.; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Pipestone Loop | Variable winter conditions. | 22-03-2025: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Drummond | Variable winter conditions. | 22-03-2025: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Hector | Variable winter conditions. | 22-03-2025: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Merlin | Variable winter conditions. | 22-03-2025: Single trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Bow Summit Area on Icefields Parkway
Winter conditions. Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond the marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume that you are in avalanche country - your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment. For more information on winter travel and how to stay safe in the mountains, visit parksmountainsafety.ca
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Peyto Lake Viewpoint | Snow covered with icy sections. | 01-03-2025: Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; Trekking pole(s) recommended; Slippery sections; Stay on trail; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
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